This honu lauhala (pandanus turtle) pillow was woven on the island of Kauai by Malia Nobrega-Olivera as a part of a community weaving group on Zoom led by Kumu Maile Andrade.  Malia began weaving alongside her mother as they attended the Kona Lauhala weaving conference together. She was also a student of Kumu Maile's first Hana Noeau Maawe class and has always enjoyed weaving. Malia is thankful for the opportunity she has to continue learning from Maile and is now a part of a weaving community here on the island of Kauai. 

Malia is also a salt maker in Hanapepe, Kauai and a proud member of the Hui Hana Paakai o Hanapepe. On behalf of her ohana and the Hui she is donating a jar of this priceless Hanapepe salt. The paakai (salt) is cultivated in the last place in all of Hawaii that continues to make salt in this manner.

Dimensions of honu- 10in x 8in
10inches from head to tail
8inches from flipper to flipper

Maile Andrade is a faculty member at Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies and one of the classes she teaches is HWST 322 - Advanced Hawaiian Fiber Arts Studio-Hana Noeau Maawe.  In HWST 322 the students examine the customary and contemporary use of fiber materials and the skills used in Hawaiian culture. Research and explore advanced techniques within the media used in traditional Hawaii.  This class is a part of the Halau o Laka: Native Hawaiian Creative Expression concentration track.

For more info about Hawaiian Studies courses visit the Kamakakuokalani website.